Social Enterprise Boost: BlueJay Wellness CIC

The Social Enterprise Boost team sat down with Lisa Cryer, the founder of BlueJay Wellness, a social enterprise that aims to empower young people in the North East to improve their mental and physical well-being for life, to discuss the growing challenge of young people's mental health in the region and how they are making a positive impact on children in our communities.

Lisa established BlueJay Wellness in 2021 as a social enterprise to promote the well-being of the younger generation in the North East region. Through her dedication and commitment, Lisa's organisation has made significant progress by partnering with schools, other social enterprises, and notable organisations such as Together for Children and South Tyneside Council. One of BlueJay Wellness' primary focuses is to provide valuable support to young people, equipping them with the necessary tools to navigate life's challenges easily.

Lisa firmly believes that the COVID-19 pandemic followed by the economic crisis has significantly impacted children's mental health. A 2022 NHS study found that the rate of a probable mental health disorder in 7-16 year olds in the North East rose from 1 in 9 in 2017 to 1 in 6 by 2020 and they have remained at this high level since. The BlueJay Wellness team believes these alarming statistics highlight the need to provide children with a comprehensive and meaningful health curriculum to support their overall well-being while being mindful of the pressures placed on school staff to help their students.

Thanks to Social Enterprise Boost, a new initiative that promotes social enterprise activity in the Sunderland and South Tyneside areas, Lisa has secured a Kickstarter grant of £5,000 for Blue Jay Wellness. The funding will enable the organisation to expand its range of services and increase its outreach to a larger audience in the North East, resulting in a positive impact on children in local communities. With the additional financial resources at her disposal, Lisa can now devote more time and effort to enhancing its existing services and developing new initiatives that will create more opportunities for young people to improve their mental and physical health.

On receiving the award, Lisa said: ‘I’m thrilled to be part of the very first round of Social Enterprise Boost. It’s such a welcome addition to the funding landscape in the North East. The whole process from start to finish has felt really supportive for a small business like mine. I can’t wait to report on the difference the fund has made’

Want to learn more about Social Enterprise Boost and how the project can support your social business? Visit https://www.pne.org/social-enterprise-boost.